Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Technology plays a very vital role not just today’s daily lives but in the

context of education as well. Living in the 21st century, everything seems to be

driven by technology, including the trends in education. As observed, students

are no longer interested in the traditional teaching styles such as “chalk-and-

talk” method. With the emergence of the World Wide Web or the Internet as

well as the availability of devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets,

and smartphones, students are becoming more and more exposed to such forms

of technology. Their attention can easily be drawn to such things. With this

situation at hand, teachers are challenged to be creative enough in integrating

technology in their classes to hold the students’ attention and ensure maximum

learning.

The introduction of multimedia technology into the education process

provides an avenue to reconsider teaching strategies to be adopted in the

classrooms. This reconsideration should address opportunities for promoting

efficiency and effectiveness of learning through the use of technology (Eslit,

2017).

As Viray (2016) states, once a lesson is taught in a way students enjoy it

through the techniques and strategies that students want it the most, learning

takes place. Teaching lessons using the traditional method is one of the things
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that hinders students’ interest and participation. As an educator, the target of

education is to make sure that students acquire the necessary competencies

through active participation during the teaching learning process, reflected in

their academic performance.

There are many online platforms available for teachers and students to

make use. Quipper School is an example of such websites which will be used in

this study. Quipper School which is an online learning service based from

London, United Kingdom and is now available in the Philippines. Quipper

School Philippines is a free comprehensive educational service for teachers and

students. It is an online educational tool that let teachers enhance their students

learning ability in Science, Math and English which are the core subject areas of

learning. Quipper School Philippines is equipped with the curriculum that is

based on the K-12 program of the Department of Education of the Philippines

(http://www.quipperschool.com).

Quipper is an education-technology company that aims to help improve

the quality of education by transforming the teaching and learning experience

of its users. It has officially entered the Philippine education industry in the year

2014 and was pilot-tested in the public secondary schools in the National Capital

Region. By the end of 2015, the company has accounted a forged partnership

with 310 schools in 31 divisions of the Department of Education across the

country (Campos, 2016).

Teachers of the 21st century should consider the effectiveness of such

using Quipper school as an online platform especially that it is available and

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accessible 24/7 at any smart devices. With the emergence of Computer Assisted

Language Learning (CALL) as a milestone in language teaching, this study was

conceived.

Numerous researches on the effectiveness of Computer Assisted

Language Learning (CALL) for teaching reading, listening, writing and lately

speaking for students that are learning a second language has emerged

(Querales, 2014). As computers have been part of everyday lives, the question is

no longer whether to use computers in the classrooms but how (Hubbard,

2009).

Today, information and communications technologies (ICTs) infiltrate

classrooms around the world at an exceedingly rapid pace. Salunayan High

School is in no exemption to this. As one of the schools in the municipality of

Midsayap known for its excellent implementation of the different programs and

projects of the Department of Education, the school thrives to provide the

students with quality learning experiences through integrating technology in

classes. In the wake of this influx, educators face growing challenges as they

teach a very “wired”—and more and more “wireless” generation of students

using technology that is evolving very day (International Education Advisory

Board, 2008). Today’s digital kids think of ICT as something akin to oxygen;

they expect it, it’s what they breathe and it’s how they live (Brown, 2008). With

these, CALL and its effectiveness has been part of the subjects of interest in the

research arena and still should be studied in depth.

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Statement of the Problem

This study determined the effectiveness of Quipper School, a web-based

application, to the English proficiency of Grade 7 students of Salunayan High

School, during the School Year 2017-2018.

Specifically, it answered the following research questions:

1. What is the English language proficiency level of the students as

reflected in their pretest scores?

2. What is the English language proficiency level of the students as

reflected in their posttest scores?

3. Is there a significant difference between the English language

proficiency levels of the students before and after they were exposed

to Quipper School?

4. What experiences did the students encounter in learning English

using the platform?

Statement of Hypothesis

In order to provide a clearer understanding of the study, the null

hypothesis is presented below:

Ho1: There is no significant difference in the English language

proficiency levels of the students before and after they were exposed to Quipper

School.
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Significance of the Study

As this study explored on the effectiveness of web-based applications in

language learning it is presumed to be beneficial to the following:

First, the teachers who are the direct implementers of the curriculum.

They are always left responsible of the students’ learning. The results of this

study would therefore serve as a stepping stone for teachers to continually seek

for techniques and strategies in making the learning situations as interactive

and as meaningful as possible.

Second, the students. The results of this study will make the students

aware of their own English proficiency levels. Thus, it will motivate them to

strive harder in order to improve themselves. Furthermore, the results of this

study will inform them of the usefulness of the internet as a tool for learning so

long as it is used appropriately and responsibly.

This study would also benefit the school administrators. The findings of

this study may serve as an indicator of the students' English proficiency levels.

This could be an instrument that could help the administrators plan and

implement effective intervention programs (such as remedial reading classes,

reading camp, etc.) to improve the proficiency levels of the students. Also, this

would help the administrators plan and prepare for the integration of

technology in the curriculum.

Additionally, this study would also help the parents. The result of this

study could encourage the parents to support their children in using technology

responsibly.
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Lastly, this study would also benefit the future researchers. The findings

of this study may motivate future researches to delve in other areas where

technology and its integration to education is concerned.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study evaluated a web-based application (Quipper School) and its

effectiveness in teaching Grade 7 English. Respondents of this study were

twenty (20) Grade 7 students of Salunayan High School enrolled for the School

Year 2017-2018. The English proficiency levels of the respondents were based

on the students’ scores in the pre and posttest of the forty-item multiple choice

test encompassing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The English

proficiency test was compiled and taken from globally recognized websites such

as TransparentEnglish.org™, IELTS and TOEFL. A focus group discussion

involving six (6) participants was also conducted after all the sessions was

completed. Both Quasi-experimental and qualitative designs were used in this

study.
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Definition of Terms

To provide clear understanding of the study, the following terms are

operationally defined:

CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) - encompasses a

broad range of computer technologies that supplement the classroom learning

environment and can dramatically increase a student’s access to information.

CALL applications include guided drill and practice exercises, computer

visualization of complex objects, and computer-facilitated communication

between students and teachers. In this study, students’ access and engagement

to a specific website (Quipper School) will serve as the CALL itself.

Computer Laboratory – in the context of this study, this is where the

experimental group receives e-classes through the Quipper School website.

Salunayan High School has two well-furnished computer laboratory each

equipped with fifty (50) new computer units issued by the Department of

Education through its DCP Program. All of these computer units have networks

and peripherals connecting them.

English Language Proficiency Levels –refer to the scores obtained

by the respondents during the pre-test and post-test that will be given along the

conduct of the study. Proficiency levels of the students will be categorized as

Very High, High, Average, Low and Very Low.

English Proficiency Test –refers to the 40 item multiple choice test

given to the respondents and were basis for the English Proficiency Levels.
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Quipper School – is a free online learning platform designed based on

K-12 program of the Philippine Department of Education. It encompasses the

core subject areas Science, Math and English for Grades 4-10. The website is

accessible in any smart device 24/7. Since S.Y. 2014-2015, Quipper School

Philippines have partnered with the Division of Quezon City, Pasay City and

Division of Taguig-Pateros all in the National Capital Region and is planning to

partner with more divisions in the Philippines to offer more free services to

teachers and students. This online platform will be used all throughout this

study. Respondents will be exposed to and will be using the platform for ten (10)

sessions.

Effectiveness of Quipper School – in the case of the study, the

effectiveness of the online platform Quipper school refers to the significant

difference on the scores of the students between their pre-test and the post.